Question from a darling client: We are building a new house, and thinking of having the cooktop in the island. Is that a good idea? Recently I’m hearing this question more and more. Is it a new trend? I’m baffled, so I go to my good friend, Google, to find out. (The beautiful kitchen in […]
Author Archives: Mia Hannom
5 BRILLIANT HACKS TO GET BETTER AT DECLUTTERING – Why You Are Really Running Out of Cupboard Space + and A Designer’s Confession
I have to come clean on something… A secret that’s been haunting me all my adult life. As an interior designer you’d expect my house to be presentable and organized, right? Hmm yes. Well, here’s the truth. I cheated. Sure, on the surface my house seemed reasonably OK. But boy, do not dare to open […]
WISH YOU HAD MORE SPACE? – 9 Items in your home you own too many of…
. EVERYBODY seems to want the same thing, no matter your tase in things or personal style – More Space! Is this true for you? I discovered something fascinating about human behavior… After having seen the insides of more household cupboards than any sane person ever should, I saw the same pattern over and over […]
7 BAD BATHROOM TRENDS TO AVOID AT ALL COST – Why it’s bad for you, and what to do instead…
The other day a neighbor asked me casually what’s trendy in bathrooms these days?” I said I could tell her what’s hot right now, but because trends change ALL THE TIME, there’s a better question she should be asking… “WHAT IS TIMELESS?” (Feature Image source) I dare you to do a quick search on Zillow […]
HELP! WHY DOES THE LIGHTING IN MY HOME FEEL SO BAD? – Understand 4 Designer Rules for Great Lighting
Recently in a showroom, I overheard a woman saying to the sales assistant – “I’m looking for a bright ceiling light. I mean, REALLY BRIGHT!” She went on to tell how bad the lighting in her living room was, and how tired she was of sitting in the dark. And off they went to find […]
IS MY KITCHEN TOO NARROW FOR AN ISLAND? Understand the measurements and basics of kitchen islands
(Feature Image Source) “Our kitchen is so awkward, how will we ever fit an island? I can’t imagine living without one!” My dear client recently bought a new home in an old part of town. They were so excited about this great old house with its many beautiful features and lovely garden. But the kitchen […]
5 MISTAKES WITH HOW YOU SIT AT YOUR DESK THAT’S CAUSING PAIN – And a healthy way to sit that will totally surprise you!
Do you sometimes get up from your chair at the end of the day with back pain? Maybe you have a numbing pain in your shoulder that lasts for days? I do. And I know why. Sometimes I’m simply not paying attention to how I’m sitting. I plonk down in my chair, get busy, and […]
HELP! SHOULD THE TV GO ABOVE THE FIREPLACE? – What you should know & how we found a solution
∞ This is a question we get all the time. Should the TV go above the fireplace? Or Where is the best place for the TV when there’s also a fireplace? Some time ago, I wrote a blog on this, and it stays one of the most read articles. If you’ve read it, you’ll know […]
6 STEPS TO CREATING A HAPPY HOME OFFICE – Designer tips you need right now
Recently I’ve put together a list of things I look for when we’re developing an office space for someone’s home. It was published in the Sunday edition of THE SEATTLE TIMES. You don’t want to miss out on these great tips. The image above of the lovely home office is by Gina Sims Designs – […]
RAW BRASS IS BACK, BUT WHAT THE HECK! What you need to know when that box arrives…
(source) This is the first of a two-part post – there’s simply too much brass for one siting. Last night I received a distressed email from an adorable client – her long awaited, custom ordered bathroom fittings had finally arrived from the manufacturer, and she had just opened the boxes. But… THE BRASS IS ALL […]
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SMALL BATHROOM FEEL MORE SPACIOUS: Designer Tips
No matter where I go, there’s always a small, dark or dreary bathroom lurking in the background that’s dampening someone’s mood. In fact, there’s one in my own house – an uninspiring powder room just a few feet from where I’m sitting now. In an attempt to help me figure out what do with it, […]
GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A FABULOUS NEW LOOK IN 8 SIMPLE STEPS – Easy Refresh Without Remodeling
(source) I don’t know about you, but nothing gets me into action quite like the prospect of visitors coming over. You know how sometimes a remodeling project gets shifted further and further away until eventually it’s only a vague idea and you hardly notice anymore the things that were once so obviously wrong? Until the […]
HOW TO SELECT TIMELESS FINISHES FOR YOUR KITCHEN REMODEL – Don’t make these common mistakes
(Image) “I don’t want to choose finishes that will be out of style soon” That is the thing I hear most when people are looking for finishes for their kitchen or bathroom upgrade. Because, let’s face it, a kitchen renovation is no small exercise – it’s demanding, it’s a lot of money, and a hell […]
7 SECRETS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOR FOR YOUR WALLS – 7 Designer Tips
(Image Source) How do you find the right color for your walls? When your room needs a fresh look, painting the walls is most certainly going to pop into your head – because everybody knows painting the walls is such an easy change and quick fix to a stale interior. And it’s not going to […]
WHY PAINT COLORS LOOK DIFFERENT THE MOMENT IT’S ON THE WALLS – and How Pick Paint Colors with Confidence
(Picture source) Nothing refreshes a room like a lick of paint on the walls, right? YES! Except when you get it wrong! Because there is nothing more demotivating – after all the agony, the money you spent and the drama to get it done – to end up with a room that looks worse than […]